On the best of days, it is not unusual to experience problems with one of the utility services on Cedar Creek Lake, as is common in all rural areas. But on Feb. 6, 2017, the lake area experienced the worst of days.

At Brookshire’s Pharmacy in Seven Points employees could not make or receive calls all day long forcing many customers to visit the store to reorder medications. It was hectic.

The same proved true in Gun Barrel City and Mabank, where 2,200 customers lost phone and internet service on the west side, according to The Monitor.

In Kemp, a cracked water line stopped service to residents of Tolosa Road, and problems were reported at Kemp High School with water.

Electric service failed in many areas also for about three hours, and Mabank High School reported electric service going on and off. Oncor representatives said they suspected a lightning strike in the past had damaged equipment, and it finally failed.

In Seven Points about 80 customers lost electric service, according to Trinity Valley Electric Coop.

Phone and internet disruption was blamed on an underground cable being cut in Malakoff, and Century Link officials reported “switching problems.”

All in all, it was a dreadful Monday for many residents and employees in the Cedar Creek Lake area.